Luis García Jr. has turned first base into a launchpad.
After spending most of last season at second, García’s bat was still useful but not overwhelming. He posted a 91 wRC+ and struggled badly in the field, with -17 DRS and -7 OAA.
The power, though, never really disappeared. He hit a career-high 18 homers in 2024, then followed with 16 in 2025.
Now, with a move one spot over in the infield, that power has taken off.
Through 85 games and 299 plate appearances, the Nationals’ first baseman already has 19 home runs, good for second on the team and a spot inside the top 20 in baseball. He’s tied with names that usually live in the middle of power conversations: Pete Alonso, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto.
That surge is showing up in more than just the home run column. García’s .558 slugging percentage leads the Nationals and ranks sixth in baseball, and it’s backed by a well-rounded extra-base profile that includes 16 doubles and three triples.
The underlying numbers tell the same story. García is hitting the ball harder, barreling it more often, swinging faster, and posting a much stronger average exit velocity than he did a year ago.
His hard-hit rate has climbed from 45.8% in 2025 to 47.1% in 2026, while his barrel rate has moved from 9.0% to 10.5%. His average exit velocity has jumped from 90.2 mph to 92.1 mph, and his bat speed has risen from 72.4 mph to 73.5 mph.
The expected stats back up the breakout, too. García has ranked in the 90th percentile or better in expected batting average in each of the past three seasons, but his expected slugging percentage has been the number that has lagged behind.
In Other News...
Nationals Suddenly Face A Trade Dilemma That Could Define Their Season
The Nationals have spent most of the summer trying to prove their record is no fluke, and at 47-45 they are still squarely in the postseason picture. That makes Foster Griffin one of the more interesting names on their roster right now, because the left-hander has quietly turned in a strong season with a 2.87 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 18 starts, enough production to draw attention beyond Washington.
MLB insider Robert Murray reports the interest in Griffin is expected to be plenty, which puts the Nationals in a familiar but tricky spot for a team trying to move forward without giving up too much ground. For a club that has already spent months climbing into contention, the question around Griffin is not just about what he has done so far, but what Washington is willing to risk if the market keeps building before the deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Former Royals Arm Is Suddenly Raising A Familiar Question Again
Foster Griffin has quietly given the Nationals a stretch of steady work, and it comes at a time when clubs are always looking for left-handed pitching depth that can travel well into October. The former Royals arm has leaned on a seven-pitch mix this season, added a sinker, and shown enough consistency to keep his name in the conversation as a useful bullpen piece.
The control issues have not disappeared, but his recent run has been hard to ignore. Over his last four appearances, Griffin has put up a 0.95 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 28.1 innings despite 10 walks, and his overall line for Washington remains solid at 2.87 ERA with a 4.27 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. He also brings recent experience from Japan, where he worked from 2023 to 2025, and that background only adds to the appeal for a contender weighing whether he might fit a late-season bullpen puzzle. [Read more 🡒]
CJ Abrams Deadline Tension Just Got Real For Nationals Fans
CJ Abrams has spent the summer carrying the pressure that comes with being a two-time All-Star and the Nationals starting shortstop, and lately that burden has only grown heavier. His recent struggles at the plate have put him back in the trade-rumor conversation ahead of the deadline, even as Washington keeps pushing in the postseason race and needs its young core to stay steady.
Abrams has been trying to keep the outside noise from taking over, using meditation to stay centered while the speculation around him keeps building. He gave the Nationals a jolt with a key three-run homer against the Astros, a reminder of how quickly his bat can change a game, but the larger question hanging over him and the club is whether Washingtons surprising run changes the way the front office views his future. [Read more 🡒]